Given we were staying in a hotel on the Mekong Delta, a speedboat bound for Phnom Penh picked us up right outside.
It was a wonderful opportunity to experience a little more of the Mekong Delta.
Floating fishing village.
The sheer size of the Mekong Delta is astonishing. It is thought to impact the lives of over seventy million people and over 7.1 million tons of rice are produced in the fields along it’s banks each year, mainly in VN.
It flows through six countries, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
As we approached immigration leaving VN, we all had to get off the boat. Previously, one of the crew had collected all our passports, leaving us to wait in this room while they were checked. Fortunately we were just within the limit of our fifteen day visa, one unlucky tourist wasn’t and was fined.
Then it was back on the boat for five minutes and off again as we arrived at Cambodia’s border control.
Lots of clambering is involved in all this. Again our passports were checked, then given back as we were processed through border control. Our luggage wasn’t scanned or looked at, at all, I found that rather odd.
Phnom Pehn’s skyline from the speedboat. The entire trip only took about six hours.
Once we clambered off the boat we took a tuk tuk to our hotel. In VN they were driven by bikes, here in Cambodia they are driven by motorbikes. It’s rather marvelous riding in them.
And Finally……
There were lots of dogs and chickens at the Cambodian border control.
fascinating… those simple houses along the river.
Travelling by boat on the Mekong sounds exotic and fascinating! I’m a little surprised that Vietnam gives such short visas.
Great post. fantastic images. Tuk tuk indeed.
Yes, speaking to people in VN and Cambodia the war in both countries is still fresh, many lost their fathers and the effects from the pollution of the land and deforestation are still being felt today. It is utterly heartbreaking hearing first hand what people went through. Humans seem to be very creative when it comes to inflicting horrors, so many scientific developments are due to wars. Will we ever change, I wonder. I didn’t know you lived in America. Still travelling, about 18 days to go. Yes, so much to digest and ponder on, I’m glad I’m blogging as I go, so many of our holidays like this have never been recorded, it’s good to look back on, like a diary. Thanks Caro.xxx
It must be such an interesting experience to travel through these countries but I can’t help but be reminded of films like the Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now. The war and its after effects must still be in the minds of many of the citizens there, even 50 years after the deforestation of huge areas of the country and the continuing effects of Agent Orange in the food chain causing untold health problems. It makes me feel very sad that humans can cause such damage to each other. Sorry, that all sounds v negative – I lived in America as a young child so was aware of the turmoil! I’m not sure if you’re still travelling or back home now, Dina, but I bet this holiday is an experience you’ll be thinking about for a while. Caro xx
Only just catching up with your recent blog posts!
Wow!
Amazing!
Take Care, and enjoy.
All the best Jan
It is amazing to see how many countries, people & then production of food is dependent on the Mekong Delta…glad to see all that through your post. The speedboat and Tut Tuk must have been fun.
Wow! It looks so warm. Is it muggy? Are the other travelers friendly? I always want to hear their stories when I travel.
It looks like the grand adventures continue! Can’t wait to hear about them.
By the way, Cambodian Dogs and Chickens would be a great band name.
Be safe and well,
Kitty
It has been hot and humid everywhere since Hanoi, a little too hot for me but certainly not complaining after hearing of our freezing cold weather.
By the time we got off the boat and through the borders everyone knew everything about each other. It’s always good finding out where other people have been and are going.
Hahahahahaha, I agree about the band name, would never have thought of that though. Hope all is well with you all.xxxx
Another enjoyable, and interesting, post. I smiled and shook my head at your comment that it only took about six hours! xx
What a great way to travel, speedboat and tuk tuk. On to the next episode in your travels.
I LOVE travelling by tuk tuk and always get thoroughly overexcited. I’ve never been in a motorbike driven one though! What a lovely way to travel to Cambodia; what wonderful memories you’re making. xx